Dharmaraj. M

Dharmaraj M is a 25-year-old post-graduate representing the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) in Tamil Nadu's Srirangam constituency. As a self-employed professional with declared assets of ₹32.6 lakhs, he represents the new generation of NTK candidates entering electoral politics. His party, founded in 1958 and revived by actor-turned-politician Seeman in 2010, advocates for Tamil nationalism, social justice, and cultural identity preservation. Dhamaraj enters a constituency where NTK has shown steady growth - from securing just 1.37% votes in 2016 to 7.53% in 2021 under previous candidates. The Srirangam seat has traditionally been contested between DMK and AIADMK, with M. Palaniyandi (DMK) currently holding the seat after defeating AIADMK in 2021. NTK's increasing vote share reflects the party's growing appeal as an alternative to mainstream Dravidian politics. While Dharmaraj himself maintains a low public profile, his party has been embroiled in several controversies. NTK faced legal action in 2024 when 16 party members were arrested for protesting the Telugu film 'Kingdom,' which they claimed misrepresented Sri Lankan Tamils. Party chief Seeman also faces sedition charges for advocating armed action to reclaim Katchatheevu island and drew criticism for controversial remarks about the Arundhathiyar community during the 2023 Erode East by-election. Voters should note that while Dharmaraj represents a party gaining political momentum - NTK became the third-largest party in Tamil Nadu with 6.72% vote share in 2021 - he is essentially a political newcomer with no established track record of governance or development work. His candidacy reflects NTK's strategy of fielding diverse candidates, including efforts to promote gender equality and recently even fielding Brahmin candidates, marking a departure from traditional anti-Brahmin sentiment in Tamil politics.